Having moved from its November slot to August, Anime NYC saw its biggest year in 2024. As New York’s biggest anime convention, it has certainly progressed from its humble beginnings in its seventh (in-person) year of operation. Its occupation of the entire Javits Center this year shows that Anime NYC’s expansion is quite the impressive one. The convention made use of its space through all new stages, like the Sakura and Performance stage, as well as the welcomed gaming hall. With a diverse crowd of fans excitedly attending, the convention has become a touchstone of New York’s rich culture. And its programming, guests, and exhibitors prove this. This year, EnVi was on the ground to give you all the details on Anime NYC 2024.
Our Review
Anime NYC takes key learnings from previous years to improve upon the convention, but not without some growing pains. For most of its seven-year tenure, the entirety of the Javits Center was not available. Joining a roster of popular conventions like Anime Expo and Colossalcon East, Anime NYC’s rescheduling to the summer was a change for the better. November show dates meant cumbersome jackets, freezing temperatures, and awkward timing for college and high school students. Now, Anime NYC got to take full advantage of the warm weather to expand its operations outside of the convention center (with a noticeably young crowd). Anime NYC still drew fans across all age ranges, races, and genders.
This year, fans got to enjoy the operation of a robust gaming hall, and a new stage for the weekend’s largest panels. Hall 1B was packed with a wealth of game developers, machines and companies where avid gaming fans could get the chance to play a variety of games. And at the back, there was the Performance stage, where fans would get active with events like the AniMusic vs. Nerdcore and K-pop random play dance panels. One of its panels was a reward worth the challenge, as long as you know your anime husbandos and waifus in a game of kahoot with Heavenly Maid Cafe.
The Sakura stage held some of the weekend’s biggest events including the “Love Live! Superstar!!” Panel which included voice actresses Akane Yabushima, Naomi Payton, and Sayuri Date. The Sakura stage was an appreciated hall, allowing for numerous reserved panels to take place there and at the main stage. However, it was clear that some events like the Cosplay Masquerade needed to be moved to bigger rooms like the Main Stage due to its popularity as a pillar of the convention.
The Sakura stage held some of the weekend’s biggest events including the “Love Live! Superstar!!” Panel which included voice actresses Akane Yabushima, Naomi Payton, and Sayuri Date. The Sakura stage was an appreciated hall, allowing for numerous reserved panels to take place there and at the main stage. However, it was clear that some events like the Cosplay Masquerade needed to be moved to bigger rooms like the Main Stage due to its popularity as a pillar of the convention.
EnVi’s Cosplay Picks
Cosplay and conventions go hand in hand. Cosplay was at the center of Anime NYC, with a wealth of photo sets on the River Pavilion (by Candiiland) for cosplayers to enjoy. This year, cosplayers brought the heat, cosplaying from hit anime series like Jujutsu Kaisen and Hunter x Hunter. Some cosplays were massive builds made of EVA foam while others were wonderfully tailored suits. Regardless, one thing was clear: every cosplayer put their own personal touches into their pieces that made their cosplays one of a kind.
EnVi was on the ground to capture all of the cosplayers at Anime NYC!
To Infinity and Beyond
As the convention wrapped, Anime NYC announced that they will be returning to the Javits Center for another year. The three–day event is set to take place August 22-24 in 2025.
Want to read more about Anime NYC? Read our review of last year’s convention here!
